hello all! I should be taking posession of a 2005 545i within the next few weeks. Found her via swapalease and couldn't have asked for a better car and deal. The car is orient blue with the beige interior and is gorgeous.. as soon as I get her, will definitely post pics.

In any event, just wanted to ask what everyone loves about their 5 series, preferably the 545... what everyone dislikes and what you wish you didn't have to deal with?

I did a lot of searching on this and other boards but haven't seen any pros or cons listing of the car.

I love the Bimmer so it's no question why I'm getting it, just curious to see what everyone thinks....
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Most people here do not like the E60s, either because of he styling or the veritable boatload of electronics the car has in tow. Plus, the car is so mod-hostile that it is pretty much as good as it will ever get.

The board has very few E60 owners on it as a whole, probably because the people who usually buy one new don't concern themselves with message boards about the car.

E60 isnt that bad.... My boss owns a 550i blk its pretty nice... but its ture e60 owners dont bother posting question since the car is so new.

best

Wow, well first, thanks for responding. I guess that explains why I haven't had any responses to my post on other boards.

I've always been a huge forum fan and rely on them as a valuable resource so I'm somewhat disappointed that the owners of the car don't really partake.

In any event, thanks again. I've had 2 other BMW's, a 325i which I loved and a Z4, I liked it but it was too small for me... I'm just really psyched about this new car!

Have a good one!

Congrats on the new purchase.

Don't let the minimal response of E60 owners deter you from visiting the board and showing us your ride.

In due time, you'll find the error in your ways and buy a E34:stickoutt

Thanks E34N! I won't... I don't deter easy. :)

LOL, can't wait!

Wow, well first, thanks for responding. I guess that explains why I haven't had any responses to my post on other boards.

I've always been a huge forum fan and rely on them as a valuable resource so I'm somewhat disappointed that the owners of the car don't really partake.

In any event, thanks again. I've had 2 other BMW's, a 325i which I loved and a Z4, I liked it but it was too small for me... I'm just really psyched about this new car!

Have a good one!

Unfortunately, the sales dempgraphics of the E60 places the majority of owners squarely in the "not message board" group. (>50 and women)

I suppose a larger reason too is the sheer impractability of modding the car. They have been out now for almost two years, yet there are virtually no performance mods out for any E60. Certainly nothing that gives more than 10 rwhp. The hot-rodding aspect of BMWs, which is loved by everyone here, has been eliminated in the latest generation of vehicles.

In the E34, hot rodding is doable.
In the E39, hot rodding is pretty difficult.
In the E60, it is virtually snubbed from the get-go.

It is all because of the electronics. Mechanically, it is just another car, but the computer controls and fancy equipment (valvetronic, direct injection, VANOS, the clutch of other things) make any sort of mod a perilous proposition, considering the cost of a grenade is around 10k.

More importantly, however, it feels less like you are driving the car, and more like being driven by the car. In an E34, I know exactly what is between me and the road. Heck, I don't even have traction control. in comparison, in the E60, you aren't controlling the car, the computer is. You are providing suggestions for the computer. Suggestions which the computer can choose to ignore.

As an example, consider accident prevention. If you are about to get T-boned, in an e34, you can light up the rear tires and swing yourself out of the impact, asssuming you can't just get out of the way. In an E60, you cannot do that, as the traction control and active steering will prevent any wheelspin or attempt to break traction.

Just my opinions.

xatlas0, I appreciate your feedback... interesting about the demographics.. I'm a female but not over 50 so I guess I'm breaking the mold. ;)

I appreciate your opinions. My hubby loves the forums since he mods his truck so I totally understand where you're coming from and while I'm not interested in modding it at this stage in the game, I really was interested in people's opinions.

Definitely interesting on the accident prevention, a little scary when you really think about it.

Thanks for the feedback.

xatlas0, I appreciate your feedback... interesting about the demographics.. I'm a female but not over 50 so I guess I'm breaking the mold. ;)

I appreciate your opinions. My hubby loves the forums since he mods his truck so I totally understand where you're coming from and while I'm not interested in modding it at this stage in the game, I really was interested in people's opinions.

Definitely interesting on the accident prevention, a little scary when you really think about it.

Thanks for the feedback.

Indeed, the vast majority of this and other car boards are more than 90% male, which makes the usual result of a member revelaving their gender as female a rather neanderthalic experience.

If you mean to enjoy the car in its stock form, then the E60 can be a fun car. Unfortunately, you probably got a first-year car, which possibly means a host of electrical gremlins.

Also, because the car is so new, nobody really knows what will break and when. Even worse, when things do, because those people usually are not on the boards, nobody here will know about it.

Indeed, the vast majority of this and other car boards are more than 90% male, which makes the usual result of a member revelaving their gender as female a rather neanderthalic experience.

That's just plain funny!!!

I thought 2004 was the first year??? Oh no.. well, one things for sure, I'll have the dealer deal with any of the issues since thankfully, it's under warranty and all that.

The prior owner did tell me he had problems with the tires which I read about but they did replace them...

2004 was the first year for the E60.

A lot of people get their introduction to the boards when the car's out of warranty and something breaks.

We'll start to see more e60 owners in the 5'er section as that occurs.

Thanks Gunslinger for the response. Yeah, I know people usuallyfind out about the boards when somethings wrong but I just love talking to like minded people...

btw, your signature quote is hysterical!

I think the 545i is a beautiful car, and hey if something breaks it's warranteed anyway. Plus you get all the free servicing for an X amount of time/miles.

What color is it?

Thanks LJSE34, I concur! :) It's Orient blue with tan interior... I love the blues that BMW makes!

lol, you'd already posted the color and interior, oops.

ha! E60's are cool, Just not a drivers car, but as the technology ages I'm sure I'll find myself in one. In many ways that car must make you feel really good. I wouldnt worry about its flexibility or acceptance of mods. BMW's goal is to build cars that wont, and dont need any alterations, or mods since in theory they are built to perfection, but we all know that if there's a way to replace drive by wire technology with cables, and analog stuff then, heck, I'm game. Congrats with your purchase. I know for a fact that my wife likes the E60, and I consider it to be a very safe car.

Thanks Brewtech, safety is also a huge factor. It rains a lot in Miami... and we all know that rain = stupid drivers... thanks again, I'm sure I'll be around.

They (E60s) are starting to grow on me as well. I was at the local Bimmer shop here yesterday, and saw a 550i with the sport package (but also with an automatic...:mad ). As much as I love my E39, it's funny, the thoughts that can go through your mind...I was thinking how it doesn't look so bad after all...and how nice it would be having 360 hp & 360 lb ft....**SIGH** Middle aged lust at its finest....:devillook

First off, congratulations on aquiring a BEAUTIFUL car. The e60 has definitely grown on me since it came out. I still have a near-hurl gag reaction when I look at the interior but the exterior styling is absolutely gorgeous.

Now, regarding the boards. Most BMW boards are made up of enthusiasts - people who love tinkering with their cars - often breaking more shit than they fix and shrugging it off with a smile. A BMW doesn't become a true enthusiast's car until it ages a little. Most e60 owners are (present company excepted hopefully) either too rich or too elite to get their hands dirty. Most of them don't even care - they just enjoy the prestige of owning a premium car.

Having said that, I'm sure that as e60 design ages, the car will be aquired by more and more of the aforementioned "enthusiasts" and the e60 community will grow exponentially. Give it another year or two.

If you have any questions about your 545i, just go to e60 forum.

http://forums.e60.net/

drw1926, I know what you mean.. I dislike the fact that mine is automatic but it's a great deal and realistically, I'm stuck in traffic for at least 2 hours.. so I'll convince myself to deal. It's the kinda look that grows on you...

///Metal, near hurl... that's classic. Since I haven't seen the older 5's interior except for maybe a few seconds, I can't really compare... I see your point about the enthusiasts and those other owners who are all about being elite or too rich and just want to drive it to drive a Bimmer... In my case I just love these cars.. the handling, the sound of the engine when it starts.. man, it's like falling in love over and over again!!

Radox5, thanks for pointing that out. I didn't see that in my Google search.

I'm just so psyched.. I just sent the papers off to assume the lease and hope that they turn it around super fast!!